Friday, February 11, 2011

Oops. Apparently when I schedule a new post, I’m supposed to actually schedule the new post. Sorry it’s late!

I’m not sure how we did it, but we survived two weeks without a dryer. Actually, I know how we did it. We employed our friend’s dryer (Thank you, Sarah!), and we suggestively left three bags of laundry asked my mother-in-law if we could use her dryer while we were back home for a week.

If you remember some time ago, my washing machine broke, and my husband stared at it for days attempted to fix it. Since we bought a new washing machine, I’ve simply been waiting for my dryer to die as well. It died. Finally.

I quickly learned that the washer/dryer people like to change their machines quite often because it was impossible to buy the dryer that matched our rather new washer. I was beside myself. How could this be? I could NOT parade around town gloating about my new dryer knowing full-well that it did. not. match.

You see my concern yet? The handle. It’s like having a new eyeball inserted, and it’s the wrong color. It’s a cheekbone in only one cheek! It’s having one eyebrow waxed! The humanity! I digress. It would have cost $200 (which I was gladly ready to pay before my husband stepped in) to get the different door on it.

If you think anything like my husband, you fully understand that it is NOT a big deal. If you think anything like me, you know that one must continue saying, “You’re lucky to have a dryer. You’re lucky to have a dryer” to get to that point. Oh, and it’s not the same color. I’m just sayin’. Not a big deal or anything. :)

How ‘bout we take this post in another direction, and you show me what you’ve been doing lately? Perhaps you got one cheekbone inserted, and you’d like to share it with us? Let’s see!

39 comments:

I soooooooooo know what you mean! Things like that drive me up the wall...I go bonkers! To the point that I stand or sit in front of it staring it down hoping it will go away. Congrats on the new purchase, sorry about the cheekbone.

Oh, Chris. . . of course, we're all really lucky to have dryers. . . but oh my goodness that kind of thing would drive any of us crazy! Sorry they don't quite match. Somehow, though, I have faith that you'll be able to turn this asymmetry into an asset. If anyone can do that, you can!

It's been forever since I've gotten to participate in Show and Share Day, and I figured I'd be your 349th participant. Imagine my delight that, just as I was late getting my post done today, you hadn't posted SAS until later than usual! I'm proud to be here! Thank you for being a great hostess.

Have you tried checking out their website? Most of the time you can find parts and you may be able to find the handle that matches the washer. I need to replace my dryer handle. I'm just lazy enough that it hasn't bothered me enough to fix it, but it would only cost me about $15 for a new handle for mine. It might be an option. Good luck dealing with it! I totally understand. I just made a quilt and the football is "upside down" due to me not paying enough attention. No one else cares, but it drives me nuts! Again, not nuts enough to fix, but then, I'm lazy! ;)

Sorry about your troubles - no fun. I was interested to see your laundry room as it looks like it is set up exactly like mine - sink, washer dryer on one side and window at the end. it is the one room in the house we have not done anything too. It has ugly wire shelving and a plastic utility sink. I am hoping at some point to upgrade our washer and dryer as ours have lasted almost 15 years.

I'm with you...it would drive me crazy too! You could cut a piece of black vinyl the same size/shape as the space in the washer handle and put it on the dryer handle to make them look the same maybe? :)

I'm totally with you. I have a fairly new washer and dryer in a dark gray color. The paint got scraped up on the washer and I wish I could chuck the whole thing and get a new one! Of course that would be ridiculous so I just have to live with it!

I do know what you mean. I would want them to match, even if no one sees them but me! LOLTo be TOTALLY honest, it does not look bad at all. Those are really nice. Mine are still working day and night, but I sure would like to have a new pretty set. Hope you have a wonderful Valentine Weekend,Melissa

O.K. this is serious! We need to chat and luckily for you, it's before Valentine's Day. Before I start, let me say that I haven't had a matching washer or dryer yet! And that's why I am so passionate about this! So here goes:

1) We'll start with you and then get to the husband. For future reference, never ever purchase a washer without the matching dryer. If one breaks, then you have to buy both (unless money is the reason and that's why we all get into this dilemma in the first place, lol). The reasoning is simple and best explained in a true girl analogy...say for example, one of the heels on your shoe breaks, would you buy "one" shoe? No, you would buy a pair even though the other shoe is fine. This is the same analogy that you need to use for future washer/dryer breakdowns (young twenty somethings, listen up). If the husband complains about the money issue, then you have to be fair and attempt to get the washer repaired but if it's not repairable, then you get a new washer and a new dryer (money permitting of course). Now that you've learned your lesson, we'll move onto Plan B.

2. Plan B-The husband needs to get the new door and matching paint as a Valentine's Day gift. I mean, you can't live with a non-matching door and non-matching paint. It just doesn't look good. The dryer door is awful to look at and the non-matching paint is really the worst. They do have "appliance paint" and you can do that yourself or have someone do it. You don't have to live with that!

If Plan B fails, then you need to remind the husband about the House Rules which are if the wife isn't happy, it's not going to be a happy household. $200 is a bargain to make the wife happy...don't you think? And yes, this is a good time to bring up the 6 weeks that you were left alone to care for the two children while he played, I mean did his camo thing for work. $200/6=$33.33/week for being the head of the household and keeping it running smoothly seems like a good deal to me:)

And finally, if none of that works, you have to resort to the following wife trick. You purchase the new dryer door and keep it in your trunk. When the husband leaves town, you have the new door installed and when he asks if the dryer door is new, you tell him, "No, I've had it a while."

I'm definitely with you. It'd drive me nuts, but the hubs would just give me that 'You're insane' look. The door is quite similar though. I'd be tempted to try and cut out the part that isn't the same. And then when I completely messed it up, I'd half to buy the door. Just in case your hubs is reading: Not a tact I'd advocate, just what I'd probably do.

I have a "attention to detail" problem and my hubby doesn't. This sometimes is a problem at my house. But at least the laundry room is not a room most people will tour when they come see you. At least that's what I tell myself!

I guess I should probably make it clear that at the time of buying our washer, I did NOT have an extra $800 for the matching dryer. Do we ever have an extra $800? :)Ideally--yes, they would match. But I was simply happy to get a nice washer and a nice dryer. I was trying to be funny in the post--the handle really isn't that big of a deal for me--but I don't think it came out clearly. Thanks for all your sweet comments! I knew you'd appreciate my "dilemma".

OH!!! Seriously - that would drive me batty! I am SUCH a matchie matchie girl! If I complained Dan would start rambling on about how people in Germany use a laundrymat or in the Philippines they use a rock in a stream or some other garbage.

Maybe you can name them, Laverne and Shirley. Put a big vinyl "L" on the washer. Shirley the dryer will get nothing since she was always such a plain Jane.

At least you found a great white washer & dryer. All of the ones I want for our new home either come in silver, champagne, blue, or red...I just want white, clean simple classic white. Do people not remember the avocado green and harvest gold of the 70's!??!

OH NOOOOO!!! I have the same washer and have also been waiting not-so-patiently for my dryer to bite the dust. At least when mine dies (it's getting louder by the load) you can take comfort in knowing that there will be someone else out there with mis-matched, shiny new laundry appliances.

I've only skimmed the other comments so I'm not certain if someone has already suggested modge-podging fabric to cover the surface outside the doors? You could insert cardboard or something creative inside the gap of the other one to make it a firm surface? Let us know what you come up with!

Oh, and my husband is always "it's good enough" but I want it to look just so. I stay home so it DOES matter to me!

Oh my gosh, am reading this post in bed laughing out loud when my husband looks over to see what the heck is so funny. Looking at the picture, he can't tell the difference between the washer and dryer. He's like, "that's it? the handle?" and so yes, I can SO relate!!!!! and yet, I am SO jealous that you HAVE a new washer and dryer. I fear I have years of waiting for my lucky number to get pulled and my W & D die. Oh well. you are HILARIOUS!!! thanks for a great laugh! :)

Oh my gosh, am reading this post in bed laughing out loud when my husband looks over to see what the heck is so funny. Looking at the picture, he can't tell the difference between the washer and dryer. He's like, "that's it? the handle?" and so yes, I can SO relate!!!!! and yet, I am SO jealous that you HAVE a new washer and dryer. I fear I have years of waiting for my lucky number to get pulled and my W & D die. Oh well. you are HILARIOUS!!! thanks for a great laugh! :)

Catching up on your blog today instead of doing laundry. Clearly I'd rather read about laundry than do it. Like you my w & d don't match. But I don't have any suggestions for you.. call me crazy but I think you were just trying to be funny. :)

Hey what do I know, I'm just your mom. I'm soooo glad you have a washer and a dryer. You should never be without both. On a side note, (a mother can't resist) Douglas would NEVER buy a car with two different doors! I would check the mfg. web site for a cheaper door, order it, have it put on and don't say another word about it. You work, don't make any excuses..period. I know it is difficult when couples disagree over prices, but if the wife isn't happy, no ones happy.

Chris, just know you have brought comfort to those of us out here reading your blog, seeing your pics and thinking, 'There's someone else out there like me!!' I would be beside myself every time I looked at those doors not matching--they're so in your face! But yes, so blessed to have a fabulous new set. Thanks for sharing--I really enjoy your blog!Traci

that's what bothers me about my washer and dryer too! But we got them that way.... because my husband flat out refused to pay extra for a matching door on the dryer. Now why the heck aren't they just naturally matched? why is there a choice? My dryer door does not have a window but my washer door does. eek.